3 months on, boating resumes at Sukhna

Bipin Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

Sukhna Lake was abuzz with activity today as UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev opened the lake to the public for boating and water sports.

The move follows after the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) Laboratory declared all reports for the avian influenza virus (H5N1) as negative.

The Adviser also announced the setting up of a Geese Memorial at par with international standards at Sukhna Lake on the death anniversary of Le Corbusier on August 27.

“More water sports events will be introduced in Sukhna by April end,” Dev told mediapersons today.

“The UT Administration has chalked out a number of plans to promote tourism in the City Beautiful. Some of them will be introduced soon,” claimed the UT Adviser.

With Dev opening the water body for boating, the lake came back to life as a number of visitors thronged the counter to buy tickets.

Interestingly, the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation Limited (CITCO), has readied five shikaras for the VIPs, while nearly 90 paddle boats of different colours and designs were kept for the visitors.

CITCO MD Kavita Singh said, “New amusement games installed at the lake have become a major attraction for tourists.”

ADVISER GIVES RULES THE GO-BY

The rule makers could be seen breaking rules as none of the bureaucrats, including the UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev, Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal, Managing Director of CITCO Kavita Singh and Rahul Gupta, wore life jackets while taking joyrides in the shikaras in the Sukhna Lake. They were also followed by DIG AS Cheema, Amandeep Kaur, Chief General Manager, CITCO, Santosh Kumar, Conservator of Forest. 

GEESE MEMORIAL TO COME UP

The Adviser announced the setting up of a Geese Memorial at par with international standards at Sukhna Lake on the death anniversary of Le Corbusier on August 27.

SIDELIGHTS

Dr Lovlesh Kant Gupta, joint director, UT Animal Husbandry Department, said the NISHAD had declared all reports of avian influenza as negative.

Artistes dressed as Chhota Bhim and other cartoon characters were the main attractions at the event.